Andrew Prokop
November 8, 1917 ~ July 14, 2016
Andrew J. Prokop of Vienna, VA died on July 14, 2016 in Falls Church, VA. Born in Bannock, OH, in 1917, Andy graduated from Parks Air College in St. Louis, MO in 1937 with a degree in Aviation Mechanics and Engineering. While at Parks Air College, he trained to be an aerobatic stunt pilot and later became an aerobatic flight instructor at Aero-Ways, Inc. in Cleveland, OH from 1941-1942. In 1942, he enlisted in the Army Air Corps during WWII and spent time serving in the CBI Theater and successfully flew over "the hump", which had an extremely high fatality rate at that time. Andy worked for 33 years for the Federal Aviation Administration as an Aviation Operations Specialist before retiring in 1979. He previously served as president of National Active & Retired Federal Employees (NARFE), enjoyed travel, golf, and was a longtime and early member of St. Mark Catholic Church. Above all, Andy was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and friend to all. He was preceded in death by her cherished wife, Colene Prokop in 1993. He is survived by his loving children, Colene Turner, Clifton Prokop, Karen Schmelz, and Alan Prokop; five grandchildren; and five great grandchildren. Family and friends may gather on Tuesday, July 26, 2016 from 6-8 p.m. at Money & King Funeral Home, 171 W. Maple Ave., Vienna, VA 22180. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, July 27, 2016 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Mark Catholic Church, 9970 Vale Rd, Vienna, VA 22181 with interment to follow at Quantico National Cemetery at 1 p.m.
Funeral Home:
Money & King Funeral Home
171 W. Maple Ave.
Vienna, VA
US 22180
Funeral Home:
Money & King Funeral Home
171 W. Maple Ave.
Vienna, VA
US 22180
Andy was a very good person and a true friend. He was a man of deep Faith and he had a very positive attitude about life. Andy loved his wife and family very much and he had many loyal friends. We know that Andy now enjoys the Peace of Christ and we wish his family special love and support at this time.
Since then my neighbor and his son, Alan have lived on in the house next door. Alan, a computer whiz, has rescued me often from the perils of cyberspace. My neighbor and his son were gone recently for six weeks. They had gone to Denver to assist his sister-in-law, who had suffered a stroke. She was alone and needed help to select and assisted living home and to sell her own home. Alan and Andy simply went to help. Did I mention that Andy, my neighbor, was 92? We re glad to have our neighbors back again. We dont expect to see much of them for a week or two; you see he has six weeks of mail to wade through, including a couple of Vienna Chapter NARFE Newsletters. Maybe you know him. His name is Andy Prokop, he will receiving the Fairfax County award for being a good neighbor. Don Wiesnet, Oakton, VA
Sitting in my sunroom, which is on the southeast side of the house, I can see the fence that my neighbor and I jointly financed and the fading azalea plants in front of it. Somebodyprobably Will Rodgersonce opined that good fences make good neighbors. There is some truth in that old saying, but my neighbor and I have been good friends for about forty years now. Long before the fence was built. I hope you are blessed with good neighbors. They can be a delight, a treasure, a friend, a buddy, a shoulder to cry on, a source of support in a time of trial. Sadly, in our 21st century hurley burley world, many folks dont even know their neighbors, thus depriving themselves of camaraderie, friendship and fellowship. Years ago when my neighbors wife had a heart attack I drove him to the hospital, and we prayed for her soul after she was pronounced dead.
For Alan, Please receive my sincere condolences on the passing of your father. You may not remember, with life’s tremendous demands, but we worked at the same time on the WPA Board in the past. Also, my father was born in Slovakia so I am affiliated with a Washington Slovak Society which is how I learned of the passing. Most sincerely, Linda Thern-Smith
Thinking about all the good times Andy and Jack had on the golf course. I am sure they are teeing one up on the “front nine” at heaven’s gate. May they be on the back nine before the devil knows they are gone. Patrick Mcneil